Microfilm camera

Microfilm cameras are high precision cameras which were used in industry and administration for longterm preservation of construction plans and documents, or simply to resolve lack of space in paper archives. Even computer data had been transferred onto microfilm to fullfill administrational document preservation policies. The developed document photographs are called microfiches. For pharmacies and other businesses product catalogues on microfiche were popular. Microfiche readers looked a little bit like computer monitors. Microfilm cameras for big archiving projects must be photographic machines that allow high exposure frequencies.

One example is the Zeiss Ikon document registration camera made in 1937. With its partially automated film advance upto 1000 exposures could be made within one hour. At the same time the company offered the microfiche reader Ikoskop.

Nowadays digital scanners with document databases have replaced microfilm systems.

Microfilm camera makers

• Agfa
• Minolta
• 3M
• Bell&Howell
• Zeiss Ikon

Microfiche reader makers

• Canon
• Dukane
• 3M
• Micron
• Microphax (portable readers)
• Zeiss Ikon